Aston Villa (a) SOLD OUT
Liverpool (h) ST forwarding / resale now
Leeds (a) Sales open Wed 06.08, 2pm
Wolves (h) Member ballot opens Mon 11.08, Noon
Bmouth (a) ST applications open Mon 25.08, 2pm
Arsenal (h) Member ballot opens Mon 18.08, Noon

2025/26:
Leeds (a) update

FAO anyone wishing to go to Elland Road:

Leeds United (a)
Applications open: Mon 04.08.2025 @ 2pm
Applications close: Tue 05.08.2025 @ 2pm

Applicants should receive an email from NUFC confirming whether they've got a ticket before 2pm on Wednesday. That included those who ended up in the ballot.

Sales open: Wed 06.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales close: Fri 08.08.2025 @ 2pm

Application details for September's visit to Bournemouth are also confirmed. Note that this game could yet move depending on the Champions League calendar. On that basis, the club are obliged to offer refunds if a different date means supporters are then unable to attend.

Bournemouth (a)
Applications open: Mon 25.08.2025 @ 2pm
Applications close: Tue 26.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales open: Wed 27.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales close: Fri 29.08.2025 @ 2pm

NUFC away ticket process changes are detailed here

Update:
Red Devils join 
Sesko race

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Manchester United had submitted a bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko that amounted to less than Newcastle's current bid. 

The decision over his future now looks to lie with the 22 year-old Slovenian international and his representatives.

Sesko didn't feature on Saturday as RB Leipzig were beaten 1-2 at home in a kickabout by Italians Atalanta.

Also absent on Saturday as Brentford beat QPR 1-0 in a friendly was Yoane Wissa, the Senegal international downing tools in an attempt to leave the Bees.

Brentford return to action this coming Friday when they host Borussia Monchengladbach.

Given Newcastle's financial constraints on both wages and transfers, it seems impossible to retain Alexander Isak and conclude a deal for Sesko. Whether Sesko and Wissa could be both be acquired remains open to debate.

PS: The Times reported on Monday that United were once again in contact with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

The 25 year-old England international is now in the final year of his current Eagles deal and now available for less than the ludicrous sums bandied around during United's ultimately fruitless pursuit of him 12 months ago. 

Update:
Isak returns

Having returned from his Spanish interlude over the weekend, Alexander Isak was spotted at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground on Monday and Tuesday.

The rest the of first team squad are due back in on Wednesday following their return from Korea.

United's ongoing attempts to sign RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko suggest that the only thing keeping our Swede from going to Anfield is the asking price.

Where that leaves Isak if Sesko prefers Old Trafford to Gallowgate is uncertain at this point in time. 

Hair-raiser:
Book giveaway

While we've had our fair share of player autobiographies, the group of ex-Magpies who are also published fiction authors is an exclusive one - and to combine both of those careers with serving in the police force is surely a unique CV. 

That latter part of his life influenced "Betrayed Trust", the debut book from former Newcastle United midfielder Tony Nesbitt, writing under the pen name Tom Hair. 

Dark tales of misdeeds in his native Wearside inform the first DC Dan Kilford novel, Tony taking inspiration from colleagues and criminals alike encountered during his service.  

An FA Youth Cup winner with United in 1985, Tony's senior playing career was decimated by injury and caused his radical employment shift. Read more about that in a chat with veteran journalist John Gibson here

We have copies of "Betrayed Trust" up for grabs and to be in with the chance of winning, email your answer to this question to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday August 8th, subject line of Hair. 

Tony's league debut for United came away to Charlton Athletic in 1986, while their Valley home was unusable. Which alternative ground was the game played at?

No age limit, open to anyone anywhere in the world but delivery only to UK addresses. One entry per person.

(Buy "Betrayed Trust" online here via Amazon)

U21s:
Saints for starters 

Newcastle's PL2 fixtures for the coming season have now been announced and can be read online here

The currently coachless U21s begin against Southampton at Whitley Park on Sunday August 17th (3pm).

Assuming no alterations, two of the away venues would break new ground for United: Birmingham City U21s using Stratford Town FC and Crystal Palace U21s domiciled at Sutton United.

PS: Newcastle's opening National League Cup tie away at Gateshead is now listed by the National League website on Wednesday August 13th (7.30pm) but neither club have officially confirmed that as yet.

2025/26:
Seoul stalemate

Newcastle  1  Spurs  1

Match report

Premier League:
Espanyol / Atletico (h)

Eddie Howe's side conclude pre-season with home games against top-flight Spanish sides on Friday and Saturday. 

This will be the fourth successive season that Eddie Howe's side have rounded off their preparations with back-to-back home kickabouts at Gallowgate.

Saturday's game only will decide the Sela Cup; as was the case in 2024 the tournament format has been abolished and the two Spanish sides won't play each other. 

Fri 08.08.2025 Espanyol (h) (Spain) (h) 7.30pm

Manolo Gonzalez steered his side to promotion from the Segunda League in 2024 and ensured that they avoided relegation on the final day of last season - finishing 14th but only two points clear of the drop zone.

They come to Tyneside on the back of three successive pre-season wins: a 2-1 success against a Southampton side featuring Magpie new boy Aaron Ramsdale and 1-0 victories over Bundesliga duo Wolfsburg and Union Berlin. 

Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h) 4pm

Finishing third in La Liga last season, Diego Simeone's side then played three games at the FIFA Club Cup in the USA but failed to advance from the group stage - their final fixture taking place on June 23rd.

Atletico's pre-season preparations for the coming season commenced with a 0-1 loss away to Porto on Sunday.

They will take to the field following a game between the respective women's teams that will kick off at 1pm. Admission to that is included in all match tickets sold.

United's two Spanish opponents will kick off their La Liga season against each other on Sunday August 17th.

Team: To follow.

Joe Willock won't feature due to injury while the fitness of Sven Botman isn't yet known.

Assuming Aaron Ramsdale makes his Magpies bow during the weekend he'll become the sixth goalkeeper to get senior team pitch time in pre-season (Pope, Dubravka, Ruddy, Gillespie and Thompson the other five. Vlachodimos hasn't been called upon at all. 

EFC: to follow 

AMFC: to follow

Referees: tbc

VAR: n/a

UK TV: None

Giveaway:
Pitch prediction

We're partnering up with Pitch Publishing, a sports book publisher with an already extensive range of NUFC related titles and several more due for release later in 2025.

We're kicking things off with a competition to win copies of "The Wilderness Years", Gary Sherrard's vivid account of the black and whites between 1978 and 1984.

For anyone of that era it's semi-autobiographical and for those missing out on the glory days of Bobby Shinton, it explains why calling out Premier League era Magpies as "the worst ever" prompts wry grins from stalwarts....  

We had two copies of the books to give away and asked you to predict the score in Sunday's kickabout against Spurs and precisely 40 of you did just that. 

That then required a random draw to decide the two winners, who were:

Stephen Boyles
Paul Sessford 

Check out the Pitch catalogue here and find offers on current and future NUFC titles on Amazon here

2025/26:
Sub-mariners sunk

South Shields  0  Newcastle U21s  5

Match action

Match report

Update:
Ramsdale reunion

Newcastle have confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan deal from Championship side Southampton. He'll wear squad number 32.

The Stoke-born 27 year-old flew in for his medical on Wednesday before putting pen to paper on a loan with a subsequent purchase option. A £4m loan fee is claimed.

The move follows United's failure to sign long-term target James Trafford, who completed a permanent return from Burnley to previous club Manchester City on Tuesday.

Ramsdale joined Bournemouth in 2017 during Eddie Howe's time in charge and was an unused substitute for the final Premier League game of their 2016/17 campaign.  

Following loans at Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon, he was between the sticks as the Cherries began the 2019/20 season - playing all but one of the 38 games that led to their relegation from the top flight.

Following Howe out of Bournemouth but remaining in the Premier League at Sheffield United, he was an ever-present for the Blades but suffered a second successive demotion.

That was followed by claimed £24m sale to Arsenal, where Aaron was first-choice for the first two of his three seasons in N5 before losing his place to David Raya.

A permanent move to Southampton then followed at the conclusion of the summer 2024 transfer window, adding a third Premier League relegation to his CV last season.

The last of Aaron's five senior England caps came in 2024.

2025/26:
Another Tigers tie

Newcastle U18s  3  Hull City U18s  3

Following a 1-1 draw between the respective U21 sides on Tyneside last weekend, Newcastle U18s and their Hull City counterparts shared six goals at Little Benton on Saturday.

United led through recent arrival Alfie Hutchison after five minutes and he doubled the lead with ten minutes played before Mattheos Ferreira marked his 17th birthday by firing home to make it 3-0 on 13 minutes. 

That advantage was reduced by a 58th minute own goal before the Tigers clawed another back, thanks to Ekemini Umoren's 66th minute header following a left wing corner.

City then levelled ten minutes remaining, after substitute custodian Oliver Holland blocked an attempt but couldn't retain possession and Zac Jagielka capitalised.

PS: Newcastle have confirmed that U18 duo Ferreira and Aaron Epia are both now secured on professional deals.

Update:
Hayden away

Just over nine years after he arrived at Gallowgate from Arsenal for a claimed £4m fee, Isaac Hayden's association with Newcastle has finally ended.

The 30 year-old native of Chelmsford looks to have reached agreement to settle the remaining months of a six year contract extension announced in September 2020.

The first of 171 competitive appearances came in United's Championship season-opening loss at Fulham in August 2016, register the first of seven goals two games later. 

The pick of Hayden's four Premier League goals for the club in our eyes was the 94th minute header at the Gallowgate End to secure a 1-0 win over Chelsea in January 2020 - assist provider Matt Ritchie's celebration involving his hoofing the corner flag into the unmentionables of a fan....

A regular member of the first squad until a serious knee injury at Brighton in March 2021 began a saga of fitness problems for Isaac and subsequent loan moves to Norwich City, Standard Liege, QPR and Portsmouth.

What proved to be his final senior competitive outing as a Magpie was a 0-4 home loss to Manchester City in late December 2021, bizarrely featuring as an over-age player for United U21s in the National League Cup last season.

An England international up to U21 level, 2024 brought a belated senior bow after opting to switch nationalities and represent Jamaica.

2025/26:
Change kit released

Buy 2025/26 season kits online here from JD Sports.

2025/26:
K-flops 

Team K League  1  Newcastle  0

Match report

Loan lads:
The borrowers

Two Magpies have left on loan so far this season:

Antonio Cordero (KVC Westerlo):
The Spaniard wasn't involved as the Belgian Pro League side beaten Zulte Waregem 3-1 at home on Saturday.

Joe White (Leyton Orient):
Saturday saw midfielder Joe make his O's bow from the bench in the 67th minute of a 0-3 loss at Huddersfield Town. The Terriers were trailing 0-2 at that point.

Unlikely lad:
If you can beat them....

In much the same way that Newcastle negated the threat of Wigan Athletic's Ryan Taylor, West Ham have moved to nullify the goal menace of Callum Wilson by signing the former Magpies striker on a 12 month contract.

Having scored a hat-trick for Bournemouth a decade ago at Upton Park to register his first top-flight goals followed by four more in Cherries colours, Wilson added a further five against the Hammers during his Toon tenure.

The 33 year-old is in line to make his debut on Saturday week away at the mackems. You know what to do...  

Meltdown:
Isak timeline

Sun 04.05 Isak scored his 54th Premier League goal (62nd in all competitions) for Newcastle - a penalty in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Sun 18.05 Isak missed the 0-1 Premier League loss at Arsenal, Howe told the media that he'd had a scan on a groin problem and rest rather than surgery was forecast.

Sun 25.05 Isak played the entirety of a 0-1 Premier loss at home to Everton, Newcastle's season-ending fixture.

Tue 27.05 Isak withdrew from Sweden's squad for two games in June due to a minor injury, presumably groin.

Mon 14.07 Isak was part of the Newcastle party that flew to Austria for a week-long training camp.

Tue 15.07 The Athletic reported that Liverpool had made it know they were prepared to pay £120m for Isak.

Sat 19.07 Isak was absent as Newcastle faced Celtic; Eddie Howe told the media that he'd allowed him to leave the squad as he needed "more training time" but that he expected him to join the club's upcoming tour of Asia.

Mon 21.07 Isak trained away from the rest of the squad at Darsley Park but reportedly cut short the session.

(some source claim this may have been on 22.07)

Tue 22.07 Newcastle reportedly switched targets to Brentford's Yoane Wissa, to augment (or replace) Isak.

Wed 23.07 Liverpool completed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, a player Newcastle had attempted to sign to augment (or replace) Isak.

Thu 24.07 Isak wasn't on the plane to Singapore and multiple media outlets reported he'd "told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club".

The Times wrote that Isak refused to accept improved terms and an extension to his current Newcastle contract, allegedly seeking £300k per week - an amount the club wouldn't be able to meet given their financial status.

Fri 25.07 The Guardian wrote that Isak had been offered a basic weekly wage of £600K by Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Sat 26.07 Howe met the media in Singapore and had no update on Isak's thigh injury but called it minimal and was still confident that he would remain a Newcastle player. 

Sun 27.07 Newcastle lost 2-3 to Arsenal, Howe telling reporters there was "no chance" Isak would be in Korea. 

Mon 28.07 Newcastle arrived in Korea without Isak.

Tue 29.07 Howe told the media that no bid had been received for Isak and he remained a Magpie.

Wed 30.07 Spanish media claims Isak is training alone in San Sebastian.

Fri 01.08 Liverpool bid claimed to be £120m rejected.

Mon 04.08 Isak returns to Darsley Park.

2025/26:
TV times

The Premier League have confirmed their live TV picks for September, with one Newcastle game rescheduled:

Sat 13.09.2025 Wolves (h) 3pm no live UK TV
Sat 20.09.2025 Bournemouth (a) 3pm no live UK TV
Sun 28.09.2025 Arsenal (h) 4.30pm Sky

The Arsenal game falls between Newcastle's midweek Carabao Cup Third Round tie* and the second round of Champions League fixtures, spread across Tuesday September 30th and Wednesday October 1st.

With reference to the Bournemouth away game, just because it hasn't been selected for live TV, that doesn't confirm 100% that it will be a 3pm Saturday kick-off.

The first round of Champions League fixtures take place on the preceding Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: were Newcastle to be in action on the Thursday, that would result in the Bournemouth game moving to the Sunday. 

While the Spurs v Wolves game picked for Sky on Sunday 28th is liable to change if Spurs are playing a Champions League tie on the 30th, there's no similar advice regarding our game v Arsenal on the same day - reason unknown.

The situation mirrors for our game regardless of that: were ourselves or Arsenal to be playing in the Champions League on the 30th then we would not meet in the PL on the 28th.

So in real terms, only the Wolves game is now confirmed, with the other three liable to possible change in the days following the Champions League draw on August 28th.

* that is split over two successive midweeks, with teams involved in the Champions League assured of playing their Carabao Cup tie during second of the two weeks.

There are no scheduled rail works between London Kings Cross on the day of the Arsenal game. For once.

The Bournemouth game looks unaffected by rail engineering work on the Saturday. Were it to be played on the Sunday, trains would still run direct to and from London but with average journey times extended by 45 minutes and trains not calling at either Basingstoke or Winchester.

Update:
New faces

Following confirmation of the appointment of Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as Newcastle United Technical Director, the vacant roles of Chief Executive Officer and Sporting Director are anticipated to be filled in the near future.

Several names have appeared in connection with both posts, but David Hopkinson is poised to become CEO in succession to Darren Eales, with Ross Wilson tipped to replace the now-departed Paul Mitchell as SD.

The 54 year-old Canadian Hopkinson had been in charge of the US-based Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation and was Global Head of Partnerships for Real Madrid between 2018 and 2020. 

He also had an earlier involvement with sports teams in Toronto, which included MLS side Toronto FC.   

41 year-old Scotsman Wilson meanwhile remains in post at Nottingham Forest, having held a similar position at Rangers until tempted across the border in 2023. 

2025/26:
Home ticket dates

Wolves (h):

Ballot opens Mon 11.08.2025 Noon, closes Tue 12.08.2025 Noon. Winners notified Wed 13.08.2025 by 11am, seat selection opens Wed 13.08.2025 Noon, closes Fri 15.08.2025 Noon. ST ticket fwding/resale Friday 15.08.2025 4pm. Member Sale Mon 18.08.2025 10am.

Arsenal (h):

Ballot opens Mon 18.08.2025 Noon, closes Tue 19.08.2025 Noon. Winners notified Wed 20.08.2025 by 11am, seat selection opens Wed 20.08.2025 Noon, closes Fri 22.08.2025 Noon. ST ticket fwding/resale Friday 22.08.2025 4pm. Member Sale Mon 25.08.2025 10am.

Old boys:
Comings & goings 

SJP old boys with new clubs/jobs include:

Tom Allan Darlington
Kieran Aplin Whitley Bay
Alun Armstrong Gateshead M
Matty Bondswell South Shields (trial)
Jean-Alain Boumsong Auxerre C
Mark Boyd Carlisle City AM
Kyle Cameron Bromley
Nathan Carlyon Blyth Town
Andy Carroll Dagenham & Redbridge
Lewis Cass Harrogate Town
Bobby Clark Derby County
Stephen Clemence Blackpool C
Lucas De Bolle Portimonense
Luuk De Jong Porto
Nicky Deverdics Newton Aycliffe
Amadou Diallo Oliveirense
Josh Donaldson Hartlepool United
Josh Donaldson Dunston UTS (loan)
Stuart Findlay Hearts
Stan Flaherty Hampton & Richmond
Massadio Haidara Kocealispor
Grant Hanley Hibernian
Mackenzie Heaney Spennymoor Town
Sean Longstaff Leeds United
Neil McDonald Hartlepool United AM
Oisin McEntee Hearts
Joe Oliver Hebburn Town
Greg Olley York City
Harry Powell Ashington
Rory Powell Ashington
John Robertson Ross County AM
Salomon Rondon Real Oviedo (loan)
Josh Scott Darlington
Kyle Scott Crawley Town
Mo Sedibeh UB Conquense
Nolberto Solano Pakistan C
Ki Sung-yeung Pohang Steelers
Andros Townsend Kanchanabori Power
Freddie Woodman Liverpool
Callum Wilson West Ham
Mike Williamson Rangers C
Callum Williams FC Hartlepool
Josef Yarney Macclesfield Town